2013 Rav4 opti coated

Znig22

Znig22

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This is a 1 week old new car from a new client that was referred to my business. The paint was in great shape. It could have used a once over with my flex and PF 2500 but the clients budget didn't allow it so here is the result.

Exterior:
Foam cannoned
Clay barred with a medium grade mitt
IPA wipe down
Opti coated (paint, and all plastic and headlight and tail lights)

Interior:
Windows done with worlds best glass cleaner
Vacuumed
A full 303 application

1 more happy customer!
 
All I have is my iPhone 4S until next week. I ordered my new Nikon d3200 last night so pictures will start being a huge thing for me.
 
You clayed it but didnt polish? I always see micro marring in the sun after clay. Would the opti-coat fill this in like wax? Never used a coating before so im not familure with its properties.
 
Didn't really see in marring. I felt as since the car was as new as it is and not many containments were on the car and I used a lot of clay lube and this was the first car I used my new clay mitt on, I felt comfortable in my process. Opti is not a filler btw. and didn't see any issues afterwards.
 
Znig22 said:
Didn't really see in marring. I felt as since the car was as new as it is and not many containments were on the car and I used a lot of clay lube and this was the first car I used my new clay mitt on, I felt comfortable in my process. Opti is not a filler btw. and didn't see any issues afterwards.
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Just for future reference - ALWAYS polish after claying to get not only the light marring out but up the gloss before a coating. BTW, what do you charge for OC?
 
The customer was on a budget. It's not always what I know is best but what the customer can afford. I do this for a living not a hobby. The OC application ran her 350 for another 150 I tried to include the polishing step like listed in my original post but is was not affordable for her.
 
I think when I do my 09' RAV I'll clay it, polish it with 205 then us DP Prep Polish to make sure nothing is on the paint.
My RAV is black and has SS paint, I believe the other colors have CC?
Was told that OC isn't what I need to use on my SS paint so I'll use DP Paint Coating, that's what Mike recommend to me.

Your price is head on IMO , the car sure has a great shine:)
 
Znig22 said:
The customer was on a budget. It's not always what I know is best but what the customer can afford. I do this for a living not a hobby. The OC application ran her 350 for another 150 I tried to include the polishing step like listed in my original post but is was not affordable for her.
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Are you using the pro version of OC?

In any case, especially on a new car, as a pro, you should include a polishing step in that price. Just saying.
 
The car had 0 signs of marring. Of course the paint wasn't 100% perfect because it wasn't corrected. I would never in my career leave a customer with marred paint and then apply a coating over it. I have seen in previous claying where the mitt did leave marring but I have developed a method to help eliminate that when just doing a clay and WGTS other waxes/sealants. Once my Nikon d3200 comes in this Thursday I will go back to the vehicle and show my work to show there was no wrong doing.
 
If the customer is happy that is all that matters. Im looking forward to those pics Znig.
 
Znig22 said:
The car had 0 signs of marring. Of course the paint wasn't 100% perfect because it wasn't corrected. I would never in my career leave a customer with marred paint and then apply a coating over it. I have seen in previous claying where the mitt did leave marring but I have developed a method to help eliminate that when just doing a clay and WGTS other waxes/sealants. Once my Nikon d3200 comes in this Thursday I will go back to the vehicle and show my work to show there was no wrong doing.
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You didn't do anything wrong, but as a pro detailer, you would want to separate yourself from the herd. I am guessing you do? Why else would we spend time on a forum like AG?

Because you didn't answer my question about which version of OC you are using, I am guessing it is the commercial version. Either way, you are underestimating OC.

Your price structure is also out of alignment. Why would you charge $150 for a 1 step? Stealerships sell inferior sealants for close to a grand that "lasts" 1 year.

Your customers are getting a coating that will last the life of the car. You need to sell that to them and be able to charge more. That way you can do all the steps needed to get the job done. Or, if you don't think OC is worth more than what you are charging, $350 for wash clay and OC is still a pretty good payday, and take the extra hour and do a polishing step. That is what I would do.

I hope this made some sense.:xyxthumbs:
 
sweatthedetails said:
If the customer is happy that is all that matters.
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That is a very unprofessional attitude. You need to be happy with your work, that way the client will be ecstatic.

Do you also cut corners that your client may not notice?
 
tdekany said:
That is a very unprofessional attitude. You need to be happy with your work, that way the client will be ecstatic.

Do you also cut corners that your client may not notice?
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Fella, I'm ecstatic with my work. I put my work on full display for him, you, and God above to see. Feel free to click on my FB link and enjoy thousands of pics of some super fine detailing.

Now that I've cleared that up, the poster originally put this up because he was proud of his work. Instead of attaboys he has received a lot of crap from a lot of internet detailing "professionals". I was the one who first asked about not polishing after clay. I now regret that because it seems to of attracted a lot of folks who have nothing better to do then hammer this guy. Your opinion has been stated, we recognize you for the detailing legend you are, feel free to move on.


www.SweatTheDetails.Time2Detail.com
www.Facebook.com/DentsAndDetails
I may be slow, but I do poor work.
 
sweatthedetails said:
Fella, I'm ecstatic with my work. I put my work on full display for him, you, and God above to see. Feel free to click on my FB link and enjoy thousands of pics of some super fine detailing.

Now that I've cleared that up, the poster originally put this up because he was proud of his work. Instead of attaboys he has received a lot of crap from a lot of internet detailing "professionals". I was the one who first asked about not polishing after clay. I now regret that because it seems to of attracted a lot of folks who have nothing better to do then hammer this guy. Your opinion has been stated, we recognize you for the detailing legend you are, feel free to move on.


Macomb Dents & Details: Car Detailing and Paintless Dent Removal
www.Facebook.com/DentsAndDetails
I may be slow, but I do poor work.
Click to expand...

Now who made you the forum police?

The OP is getting some much needed help. I am not putting him down or trying to make him feel bad at all. As a matter of fact, I take time out of my schedule to give him free advice. Not sure why that bothers YOU.
 
It seems that we're getting off track here,I mean AGO is known for helpful advise from members ,let's not fight one another,we're too good of a team here.
If we don't have anything positive to say then let's not say anything.
The mod should close this thread , it started out good but ending bad.

Please take my post in a positive way:)
Let's move to shall we!
 
Leave the thread open please so I can show off my work with a nice new camera. Problem solved. I appreciate the advice. I do understand the polishing step needed to intensify shine and other steps needed for scratch removal. As for my pricing, I personally wouldn't spend a grand on a dealership coating and in my area not many people do and I live in a decent size city as we'll. So for opticoat costing me 70 bucks. Being able to do 2 cars with the 20cc's and having more and more clients come to me at a rate of 350 for a brand new car and having the possibility of correcting brand new cars if it falls in there budget, I would take that all day long over the occasional high dollar coating that won't come around as often as you would like.
 
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